Letter: Prevent another crisis; replace Common Core

Six years ago, Michigan’s elected leaders decided to implement Common Core. They listened to the “education experts” and business interests, not the parents, grandparents and concerned citizens.

Although the experts could not provide evidence that the change would be better for students, they prevailed. Now, parents, grandparents and concerned citizens are being joined by more and more teachers in their call to repeal Common Core. As the facts about Common Core become clearer through implementation, the evidence that they are NOT better for students, in fact are harmful to students, has become even clearer.

This situation is actually similar to the Flint water crisis. The experts recommended the water source be changed to save money. They provided no evidence that the change would be beneficial to the citizens of Flint. After the change was implemented, citizens began reporting problems with their water, yet the experts insisted the water was fine. Now we are in the midst of a crisis —a very expensive cleanup and recovery and untold damage to our children’s health and their futures.

The good news is the solution to education is in bills to repeal and replace Common Core. This is not bottled water or a Band-Aid. It is a wholesale, systemic change that puts us on the right track in education. It is realistic and doable.

Our leaders have a chance to prevent another crisis. Gov. Snyder and Michigan legislators can prevent the loss of a generation poorly educated because of an unproven education experiment. We are counting on them to learn from their mistakes, to see the evidence, to listen to Michigan citizens and to hear the truth.

Please call your state representative and senator, asking them to support HB 5444 and SB 826.